Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: Should motions be made which imply a negative outcome? For instance, if you are deciding on accepting an applicant for membership into an organization, and the general concensus before a motion is made that this person will not be admitted, is it more appropriate to move:
  1. to accept John Doe into XYZ organization, then vote it down; or,
  2. to deny John Doe admission into XYZ organization, then vote in favor.
- D.G., Dec. 8, 1999

A: Choice #1 is better. A motion should imply a change if adopted. In this case, the change would be an addition to XYZ's membership. The lack of a motion should be the same as voting down that motion. See RONR p. 102.

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